A. J. Cochran
{{Short description|American soccer player (born 1993)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2014}}
{{Infobox football biography
|name = A. J. Cochran
|image = AJ_Cochran.jpg
|caption = Cochran in 2014
|full_name = Alec John Cochran
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|2|9}}
|birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, United States
|height = 1.91 m
|position = Defender
|collegeyears1 = 2011–2013
|college1 = Wisconsin Badgers
|collegecaps1 = 58
|collegegoals1 = 5
|years1 = 2013
|clubs1 = Michigan Bucks
|caps1 = 5
|goals1 = 0
|years2 = 2013
|clubs2 = K-W United
|caps2 = 3
|goals2 = 0
|years3 = 2014–2015
|clubs3 = Houston Dynamo
|caps3 = 26
|goals3 = 0
|years4 = 2015
|clubs4 = → Charleston Battery (loan)
|caps4 = 2
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2016–2017
|clubs5 = Saint Louis FC
|caps5 = 49
|goals5 = 1
|years6 = 2018
|clubs6 = Atlanta United 2
|caps6 = 30
|goals6 = 0
|years7 = 2019–2020
|clubs7 = Phoenix Rising
|caps7 = 37
|goals7 = 2
|years8 = 2021–2022
|clubs8 = Indy Eleven
|caps8 = 47
|goals8 = 1
|years9 = 2023
|clubs9 = Charleston Battery
|caps9 = 19
|goals9 = 0
|totalcaps = 218
|totalgoals = 4
|nationalyears1 = 2014
|nationalteam1 = United States U23
|nationalcaps1 = 1
|nationalgoals1 = 0
|club-update = October 17, 2023
|nationalteam-update = August 16, 2014
}}
Alec John "A. J." Cochran (born February 9, 1993) is an American professional soccer defender.
Early life and education
Cochran was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. His parents are Anne and John Cochran and he has one sister. He attended CBC High School. He also played baseball, basketball, and football as a kid, but his dad encouraged him to focus on soccer.{{Cite web|last=Statz|first=Lydia|date=|title=Team Player: A. J. Cochran|url=https://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com/contender/team-player-a-j-cochran/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016120437/http://onwisconsin.uwalumni.com:80/contender/team-player-a-j-cochran/ |archive-date=October 16, 2015 |access-date=2021-01-30|website=OnWisconsin|language=en-US}} He attended the University of Wisconsin.
Early career
Cochran attended CBC High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where he played on the school soccer team. He helped lead the school to a state championship in his junior year and was an NSCAA All-American (and Missouri's Gatorade player of the year) as a senior.{{Cite web|title=AJ Cochran {{!}} Men's Soccer|url=https://uwbadgers.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/aj-cochran/997|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Wisconsin Badgers|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2011-05-16|title=AJ Cochran, CBC Cadets, Named Missouri Gatorade POY|url=http://sgfsoccer.com/2011/05/16/aj-cochran-cbc-cadets-named-missouri-gatorade-poy/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=SGF Soccer|language=en-US}} He played for club side St. Louis Scott Gallagher as a kid.{{Cite web|title=Three SLSG Alumni Picked in MLS SuperDraft {{!}} St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club|url=http://www.slsgsoccer.com/three-slsg-alumni-picked-in-mls-superdraft/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.slsgsoccer.com}}
Cochran played three years of college soccer at the University of Wisconsin between 2011 and 2013. He helped take the Badgers to the NCAA tournament his junior year. Accolades he received while at Wisconsin include 2011 Big Ten All-Freshman team, 2012 and 2013 first team All-Big Ten, and 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He was also a 2013 first team NSCAA All-American, the first Badger to be a first team all American since 1995.{{Cite web|title=2018 Men's Soccer Record Book (PDF)|url=https://uwbadgers.com/documents/2017/6/20/2018_MSOC_Record_Book.pdf|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Wisconsin Badgers|language=en}}
While at college, Cochran appeared for PDL clubs Michigan Bucks and K-W United FC during their 2013 seasons.{{cite web |url=http://www.uslpdl.com/teams/2013/33862327.html#STATS |title=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |publisher=Uslpdl.com |access-date=April 6, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210132617/http://www.uslpdl.com/teams/2013/33862327.html#STATS |archive-date=December 10, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/teams/2013/22344.html#MAIN |title=United Soccer Leagues (USL) |publisher=Pdl.uslsoccer.com |access-date=April 6, 2014 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220095706/http://pdl.uslsoccer.com/teams/2013/22344.html#MAIN |url-status=dead }}
Cochran left Wisconsin after his junior season, signing a Generation Adidas deal with Major League Soccer.{{Cite web|last=ANDERSON|first=ERIC|date=2014-01-14|title=Center back Cochran off to MLS, UW's first Generation adidas player|url=https://www.wisconsinsoccercentral.com/news_article/show/327391-center-back-cochran-off-to-mls-uw-s-first-generation-adidas-player|access-date=2021-01-30|website=Wisconsin Soccer Central|language=en-us}}
Houston Dynamo
On January 16, 2014, Cochran was drafted by Houston Dynamo in the first-round (16th overall) of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.{{cite web|last=Ortiz|first=Jose de Jesus|date=January 16, 2014|title=Dynamo select AJ Cochran in first round of MLS SuperDraft – Houston Chronicle|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-select-AJ-Cochran-in-first-round-of-MLS-5149941.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117070137/http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/Dynamo-select-AJ-Cochran-in-first-round-of-MLS-5149941.php |archive-date=January 17, 2014 |access-date=April 6, 2014|website=|publisher=Chron.com}} He made his professional debut on April 5, coming off the bench in a 4–1 loss to FC Dallas.{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2014 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2014/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}} During his first pro season, Cochran made 19 MLS appearances as the Dynamo finished 8th in the Eastern Conference, missing out on the playoffs.{{Cite web|title=2014 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/708/2014-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}} He also made 2 appearances in the U.S. Open Cup.{{Cite web|title=USA - A. Cochran - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/alec-john-cochran/332666/matches/|access-date=2021-01-30|website=us.soccerway.com}}
During the 2015 season, Cochran made 7 MLS appearances as the Dynamo finished 8th in the Western Conference and failed to qualify for the playoffs again.{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2015 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2015/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=2015 Major League Soccer Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/22/1369/2015-Major-League-Soccer-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}} In Open Cup play, Cochran played in all 3 of Houston's games as they reached the quarterfinals, where they lost to Sporting Kansas City 3–1. He also spent part of the season on loan with USL club Charleston Battery, where he made 2 appearances.{{Cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Matt|date=May 19, 2015|title=Loan update: Cochran, Rodriguez & Lisch feature for Charleston in two-game weekend|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/05/19/loan-update-cochran-rodriguez-lisch-feature-charleston-two-game-weekend|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430191833/https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/05/19/loan-update-cochran-rodriguez-lisch-feature-charleston-two-game-weekend |archive-date=April 30, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021|website=Houston Dynamo}}{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/A-J-Cochran|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}
On November 30, 2015, Cochran's contract option was declined by the Dynamo.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 30, 2015|title=Houston Dynamo announce roster moves|url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/11/30/houston-dynamo-announce-roster-moves|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509042259/https://www.houstondynamofc.com/post/2015/11/30/houston-dynamo-announce-roster-moves |archive-date=May 9, 2021 |access-date=January 30, 2021|website=Houston Dynamo}}
Saint Louis FC
Despite going on trial with the Colorado Rapids in the 2016 MLS pre-season, where he scored a match winning goal in a friendly against Sacramento Republic,{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradorapids.com/post/2016/02/13/match-report-sacramento-republic-fc-0-1-colorado-rapids|title=Match Report: Sacramento Republic FC 0-1 Colorado Rapids|date=February 13, 2016}} Cochran was not offered a contract and signed with USL club Saint Louis FC on March 6, 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://saintlouisfc.com/sports/msoc/2016-17/releases/20160306o2p6oy |title=Saint Louis FC Roster Continues to Grow - Saint Louis Football Club |access-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313154412/http://saintlouisfc.com/sports/msoc/2016-17/releases/20160306o2p6oy |archive-date=March 13, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} He made his debut for Saint Louis on March 26 in a 1–0 loss to Real Monarchs. He had 2 assists from 27 appearances during the regular season as Saint Louis finished 14th in the Western Conference, failing to qualify for the playoffs.{{Cite web|title=2016 USL Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/1511/2016-USL-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}
Cochran and Saint Louis opened the 2017 season on March 25 with a 0–0 draw against Louisville City.{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2017 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2017/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}} On May 17 he scored his first goal for Saint Louis in a 4–3 victory against FC Wichita in the U.S. Open Cup. He scored his first league goal for Saint Louis on June 2 in a 2–0 win over Toronto FC II. Cochran ended the season with 18 USL appearances and 1 goal as Saint Louis missed the playoffs again, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference.{{Cite web|title=2017 USL Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/1583/2017-USL-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}
Atlanta United 2
On January 24, 2018, Cochran signed with Atlanta United 2 of the United Soccer League.{{cite news|title=Atlanta United 2 signs four players to inaugural roster|url=https://www.atlutd.com/post/2018/01/24/atlanta-united-2-signs-four-players-inaugural-roster|access-date=January 24, 2018|work=Atlanta United|date=January 24, 2018}} He made his debut for Atlanta United 2 on March 24, getting the start in a 3–1 win against New York Red Bulls II. He ended the season with 2 assists from 30 appearances as Atlanta United 2 missed the playoffs after finishing 14th in the Eastern Conference.{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2018 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2018/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=2018 USL Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/1776/2018-USL-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}}
Phoenix Rising FC
Cochran signed with Phoenix Rising FC on December 25, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.phxrisingfc.com/news_article/show/980039|title=Defender A.J. Cochran Joins Rising FC For 2019|publisher=Phoenix Rising Football Club|date=December 25, 2018|access-date=December 25, 2018}} He made his debut for Phoenix on March 16 in a 3–3 draw with New Mexico United.{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2019 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2019/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}} Cochran ended the regular season with 24 appearances and 4 assists, helping Phoenix finish top of the Western Conference.{{Cite web|title=2019 USL Championship Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/comps/73/2799/2019-USL-Championship-Stats|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}} He played in both of Phoenix's playoff games as they lost to Real Monarchs in the quarterfinals. Cochran was named to the 2019 USL Championship All-League Second Team.{{Cite web|title=USL Championship Announces 2019 All-League Teams|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1064203|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.uslchampionship.com|date=November 12, 2019}}
On August 8, 2020, Cochran scored his first goal for Phoenix in a 5–2 win over New Mexico. He scored again on October 3 in a 4–1 victory against LA Galaxy II. In a shortened regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cochran had 2 goals from 13 appearances.{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran 2020 Match Logs|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/matchlogs/2020/summary/A-J-Cochran-Match-Logs|access-date=2021-01-30|website=FBref.com|language=en}} He started both of Phoenix's playoff games before the championship game was cancelled after multiple Tampa Bay Rowdies players and staff tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite web|title=USL Championship Final Cancelled, Season Concludes with Tampa Bay, Phoenix as Conference Title-Winners|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1130727|access-date=2021-01-30|website=www.uslchampionship.com|date=October 31, 2020}}
Indy Eleven
Cochran made the move to USL Championship side Indy Eleven on February 17, 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1146825|title=Indy Eleven Bolsters Defensive Corps with Cochran|date=February 17, 2021}} He earned a place in the USL Team of the Week for Week 31 of the 2022 season after scoring a goal and a solid defensive performance in a 4–1 win over the Charleston Battery.
He was released from his contract by mutual agreement on January 31, 2023. During his two years with the club, he accumulated 47 regular season appearances (39 starts) and scored one goal.
Charleston Battery
On February 2, 2023, Cochran joined USL Championship side Charleston Battery for their 2023 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.charlestonbattery.com/news/2023/02/02/battery-sign-veteran-defender-aj-cochran/|title=Battery sign veteran defender AJ Cochran}}
Career statistics
{{Updated|January 29, 2021}}{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=AJ Cochran|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/aj-cochran|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116141143/http://www.mlssoccer.com:80/players/aj-cochran |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |access-date=January 29, 2021|website=Major League Soccer}}{{Cite web|title=A. J. Cochran Stats|url=https://fbref.com/en/players/3adea0c9/A-J-Cochran|access-date=2021-01-29|website=FBref.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=USA - A. Cochran - Profile with news, career statistics and history|url=https://us.soccerway.com/players/alec-john-cochran/332666/|access-date=2021-01-29|website=Soccerway}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |+ !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Open Cup !colspan="2"|Playoffs !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="3"|Houston Dynamo
|2014 |rowspan="2"|MLS |19 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 0 | |||
| 2015
|7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 10 | 0 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!26 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 0 | |
| Charleston Battery (loan)
|2015 |USL |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Saint Louis FC
|2016 |rowspan="2"|USL |27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 0 | |||
| 2017
|18 | 1 | 3 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 2 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!45 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 49 | 2 | |
| Atlanta United 2
|2018 |USL |30 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Phoenix Rising
|2019 |rowspan="2"|USLC |24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 0 | ||
| 2020
|13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 15 | 2 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!37 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 2 | |
| colspan="3"|Career total | 140 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 154 | 4 |
Honors
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{MLS player|aj-cochran}}
{{DynamoFirstPick}}
{{2014 MLS SuperDraft}}
{{2013 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer First-Team All-America}}
{{Big Ten Conference Men's Soccer Player of the Year navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cochran, A. J.}}
Category:American men's soccer players
Category:American expatriate men's soccer players
Category:Wisconsin Badgers men's soccer players
Category:Flint City Bucks players
Category:K–W United FC players
Category:Houston Dynamo FC players
Category:Charleston Battery players
Category:Saint Louis FC players
Category:Atlanta United 2 players
Category:Phoenix Rising FC players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Soccer players from St. Louis
Category:Houston Dynamo FC draft picks
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada
Category:USL League Two players
Category:Major League Soccer players
Category:United States men's under-23 international soccer players
Category:All-American college men's soccer players